Night School, the racing industry's national online fan education program, presents its first-of-the-month Newbie Tuesdays program this Tuesday, April 3, focusing on the entry-level racing fan and horseplayer. Newbie Tuesdays joined the Night School curriculum this year in an effort to bridge the gap between the industry and its newest customers. Presenting title sponsors for Night School include the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Quarter Horse Association, Keeneland, Churchill Downs Inc. and Daily Racing Form.

Newbie Tuesdays kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET at 40 websites across the racing industry and will be co-hosted by Night School founders Joe Kristufek and Jeremy Plonk of Horse Player NOW. Churchill Downs handicappers Jill Byrne and Merv Huber will also be on hand to field questions from racing fans and add insight. Newbie Tuesdays present introductory explanations to the handicapping fundamentals of pace, class, speed and connections—and the latter this session will feature the role of the jockey. Video input from leading national riders such as Joe Bravo, Julien Leparoux, John Velazquez and Kent Desormeaux will be presented. In the wagering segment, Plonk and Horse Player NOW's Brian Nadeau will introduce basic information on exacta bets along with how and when to apply it. Newbie Tuesdays' "Becoming a Better Fan" segment will touch on time management, which is featured in this weeks' downloadable, free study materials from Horse Player NOW and Daily Racing Form.

Fans are invited to join the Night School crew for another "After Night School Special" this Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET, presented by Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort. Handicap the final two races on the program with the experts and watch the free live streaming video, courtesy of Mountaineer. The Night School fan education program rolls on this week with a pair of Thursday night "Big Event" seminars. First, get a preview of the 2012 Keeneland Spring Meeting at 8:30 p.m. ET, and get a leg up on the prestigious meet that opens Friday. Then, at 9:30 p.m. ET, stick around for an hour-long "Big Event" preview of Saturday's Grade 2 Illinois Derby from Hawthorne Racecourse. Those big events, presented by Keeneland and Hawthorne, respectively, will be co-hosted by Caton Bredar and Jeremy Plonk with special guests from each track.

Following this week's Newbie Tuesdays, Night School's more in-depth handicapping curriculum will return next Tuesday, April 13, with a study of trip handicapping.